It's a rarity: 0 penalties in a football game.

It was hotter than 95 degrees, dark clouds on the horizon, first game jitters, in a NCAA football game, and no penalties????

Last Saturday, the Illinois Fighting Illini were able to do something that the team hasn’t accomplished in 18 years. And that accomplishment was to have absolutely no penalties in a game. Most of the Midwest delayed and or cut games short due to weather conditions last Saturday. Illinois was able to get their full game in against Arkansas State. Even with the heat sweltering and it being their first game of the season, not only were there no penalties called on the Illini, but no players were reported with cramping. Arkansas State posted 2 penalties for just 8 yards. Usually on Sunday media sessions, Illinois head coach Ron Zook talks about penalties. He’s usually talking about game deciding penalties. This past Sunday, Ron Zook didn’t hesitate to show how proud and pleased this accomplishment made him.

“It’s a tribute to the coaches because we’ve been dwelling on that and these players, they want to please and do well. There were probably some that the officials could have called both ways, but I thought the officials did a nice job. When you can get through a game without a penalty, it’s pretty good.”

Penalties can happen at any time during  a football game, whether it be an official’s poor interpretation or a stupid penalty committed by a player.

The last time Illinois posted a game without any penalties was back in 1993. Lou Tepper’s Illinois team played Wisconsin that game, but lost 35-10.

Everyone has some a degree of talent, but it’s in our execution of that talent that makes us great.